Japanese Defense Ministry, SDF networks hacked; state actor suspected

[Renew Deal]

Source: Japan Times

The Defense Ministry and Self-Defense Forces were targeted by a sophisticated cyberattack in September that may have compromised the Defense Information Infrastructure, Japans internal military network, ministry sources say.

The attacker, possibly a state actor, initially penetrated the Ground Self-Defense Forces computer system and likely stole some information, though the full scope of the theft remains unclear, the sources said Sunday.

The attacker took advantage of a security loophole, prompting the ministry to raise its cybersecurity alert level.

Most officials were mum on the attack, but a senior SDF official called it a very serious situation.

We must quickly take measures to prevent a recurrence, the official said.

At a news conference Monday, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Koichi Hagiuda refused to discuss the matter, saying that doing so might give the hackers a better idea of government security measures.




Read more: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/11/28/national/politics-diplomacy/defense-ministry-hit-cyberattack-info-may-accessed

[MADem]

1. Hello, Vladimir, yes hello, Vladimir.....

It could be China or Li'l Kim, but I think it's Vlad.

If the attacker or attackers penetrated the nation’s enhanced defense system, it should raise suspicions that the attack was state-sponsored, Tsuchiya said, adding that China, Russia, North Korea and other countries that would benefit from stealing Japanese military secrets could be suspected.